Srinagar, June 16: Prisoner No 100, the ordeal of five years in Tihar jail by separatist leader Anjum Zamrooda Habib narrated in the book was released at a local hotel Thursday. The book , originally written in Urdu by Zamrooda was translated in English by Sahba Hussain and is published by Zubaan publications. The author was imprisoned under POTA law. 
 While narrating her ordeal, the author, Zamrooda, who heads Muslim Khawateen Markaz recounted the sufferings and alleged torture which she endured for five long years during her detention.
 The inmates, she said, harassed her calling her ‘anti-national’ adding that she was kept along with “criminals in the jail though being political prisoner”.
 “I had to manage and create space to myself in the cell, even supported other women inmates monetarily. They harassed me unnecessarily for my ideology,” she narrated adding “I formed association of political prisoners after my release.”
 Sahba Hussain, while highlighting the sufferings of her friend Zamrooda said that the thing that struck her was "emptiness in her eyes after her release".
 “For 5 years I was not in contact with Anjum (Zamrooda Habib) in jail. But after her release there was emptiness in her eyes. She shared her ordeal and was looking for some respite. I thought writing can provide her relief,” Sahba said.
 She stated that the book is not only personal account of her jail years but it raises several broader issues. “She (Zamrooda) was abandoned by her political colleagues during her five years in jail. My translation work was an act of solidarity with her for the years I was in touch with her,” she added.
 Student activist Mushtaq-ul-Haq Sikander, columnists ZG Muhammad, author of Kashmir Case Law Dr Abdul Majid Siraj, Dr Javeed Iqbal, Prof Hameedah Nayeem and Anuradha Jamwal were present at the book release.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST